A Savannah Christmas Wish

Her eyes flared open. “What?”

“You were gnawing on your thumb.” His words rasped out. His eyes locked on her mouth.

“Bad habit.” She tucked her hand into her back pocket.

He turned, but not before she caught the flicker of heat in his gaze.

“Is there a way to put a connecting door in?” she asked, trying to stay on task.

He assessed the plans. “I wouldn’t recommend it.”

She frowned. “We’ve got a couple more adjoining-room requests.”

Daniel determined only one was possible. Then they looked at the tub and shower placement changes Bess and her sisters wanted.

In the master bedroom, she asked, “Can you create a larger balcony here?”

He opened the door. They peered out at the rickety wood floor.

“When we tear off the old balcony, we’ll assess whether there’s enough support to expand.”

“Good.” She brought her thumb near her mouth.

He shook his head.

“You’re as bad as my sisters.” She frowned. “We want French doors and balconies on all the courtyard bedrooms.”

Daniel smiled again. “This project will keep our staff and subs busy. I’ll check with the architect and engineer.”

Would it cost more money? “Thanks.”

On the stairs, Daniel set his hand under her elbow. “I don’t trust the railing.”

She didn’t know what was more dangerous to her health, a loose railing or Daniel. If he kept touching her, she might burst into flames and burn the place down.

“So how’s the job search?” he asked as they headed down the next flight of stairs.

She shrugged. “Nothing yet.”

“Did you do something impulsive like quit?” he blurted out.

“I loved that job!” Why couldn’t he see that she’d changed?

He raised one eyebrow. “Then what happened?”

“I was laid off.” Her face grew warm. “Mid-August. Not the optimum time to be searching for a job in my field.”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, kid.”

“Kid?” She wanted to poke him, but he held her elbow.

“If you need to delay your rent payment, let me know,” he said.

“I’m fine.” Now her face was on fire. She hated Daniel’s sympathy. “I need to work on a wedding consult.”

“I thought you didn’t have a job?”

“I have a supply agreement with Cade.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No.”

“He fired you.”

“Laid me off. And I worked for him for almost five years,” Bess said.

“He betrayed any loyalty you owed him.”

She headed to the door. “Don’t you lay off crew members?”

“Not if I can help it.”

“But you do,” she pressed.

“Yeah.”

“And do they feel betrayed?”

Daniel ran his fingers through his cap of golden hair. “That’s different.”

“I’m not burning any bridges with Cade.” She tipped her head at him. “Are we done?”

He nodded.

She stepped outside, finally able to take a breath without catching a whiff of Daniel’s aftershave.

Two days down of working with Daniel. Only five months more. It had to get easier.

* * *

“OVER HERE,” DANIEL CALLED.

Gray moved from the entrance of Kevin Barry’s pub. “How’s it going?”

“Good.” Daniel didn’t plan to tell Gray about his father’s health or his problem with working side by side with Bess.

For the walk-through, she’d worn her normal working uniform of hiking shorts and a tank top. His body didn’t know what was good for him. All he could think about was how good she looked naked. When she’d put her thumb to her mouth, he’d gotten hard. He couldn’t tell Gray about that.